HENDERSON, Tenn. – Gus Lucas secured a game two victory on the mound for No. 11 Missouri Baptist University over (RV) Freed-Hardeman University on Friday after the team dropped game one.

The Spartans were bested in a pitcher's duel that ended with a walk-off home run in game one. Lucas gave the team six strong innings in game two and was backed by six combined RBI from Nick Beech, Angelo Franco, and Miguel Padron for a 9-1 win.

Game One Recap
Freed-Hardeman opened the scoring in the first inning when Hunter Ryan singled through the right side to bring home Brooks Jones.

Missouri Baptist answered in the third inning. Marcus Graham reached after being hit by a pitch, stole second, and moved to third on a single by Orozco.  Beech then lifted a sacrifice fly to left field to score Graham and tie the game at 1-1.

Both pitching staffs settled in after that. Teague Robertson limited the Lions to just three hits across six innings while striking out four and walking two.

The game remained tied until the bottom of the seventh when Drake Blackwood hit a walk-off solo home run to right field to give Freed-Hardeman the victory.

Winning Pitcher: Colton Bryant (2-1)
Losing Pitcher: Teague Robertson (2-1)
 
Batting Leaders:
Nick Beech: 1-for-3, RBI
Angelo Franco: 2-for-2, 2B, BB
 
Game Two Recap
MBU struck first in the second inning when Max Shabestari scored on a throwing error during a fielder's choice play.

Freed-Hardeman tied the game in the bottom of the inning when Hunter Ryan stole home following a steal of second by Chase Eakes.

The Spartans broke the game open in the fifth inning. Orozco's single, combined with an outfield error, brought home Carlos Hidalgo, and  Beech followed with an RBI double. Franco later added a two-run ground-rule double to extend the lead to 5-1.

Missouri Baptist continued to add on throughout the middle innings. Beech delivered another RBI single in the sixth, Padron hit a solo home run in the seventh, and Orozco added a solo homer in the eighth. Padron capped the scoring with an RBI double in the ninth.

Gus Lucas earned the win after allowing just one run (unearned) on two hits while striking out seven over six innings. Elliot Veisauyadra pitched the final three innings to secure the save.

Winning Pitcher: Gus Lucas (1-0)
Losing Pitcher: Jackson Fitzwilson (4-1)
Save: Elliot Veisauyadra (1)
 
Batting Leaders:
Nick Beech: 3-for-5, 2B, 2 RBI, R
Angelo Franco: 2-for-3, 2B, 2 RBI, 2 BB, R
Miguel Padron: 2-for-5, HR, 2B, 2 RBI
Jayden Orozco: 2-for-4, HR, RBI, 2 R, BB
 
Record:
No. 11 Missouri Baptist: 10-4
(RV) Freed-Hardeman: 14-5
 
What's Next?
The four-game series with the Lions in Henderson, Tenn., will conclude with a doubleheader Saturday, March 7. The first pitch is set for 11 a.m.
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